July 09, 2012

From Fireflies to Fluorescence!

I had the great pleasure of seeing the incredible Yayoi Kusama retrospective at the Tate Modern earlier in the year in London, and I can’t wait to see it at the Whitney now that it has come to New York. The show is eye-popping, filled with fluorescence as I am sure that her new special collaboration with Louis Vuitton will be. And it’s funny when something becomes the zeitgeist, right? The sun, and the stars, and the moon all line up at the same time, and everyone collectively loves fluorescence!

Corrie Hogg: Just last week around the lunch table the design department was talking about the presence of fluorescent colors in design and fashion as a trend over the past year or so. By coincidence, the next day I was visiting the American Museum of Natural History, Creatures of Light exhibition where I learned all about bioluminescence… fireflies, glowworms, flashlight fish! As part of the exhibit they also explained fluorescent color and the science behind it. I was fascinated! I learned - it is actually glowing on a molecular level, meaning more light in the spectrum is being absorbed and then emitted from the electrons!!! Whoa! Here is a more in depth explanation from DayGlo.

So today, I just had to revisit some pics of a couple of my favorite events over the past few months where we have utilized the magic of the fluorescent’s photon!

A stunning Bar Mitzvah where the table décor was carefully placed fluorescent plexi osculating down the table like sound waves.

And of course, this giant NEXT sculpture, where our team skillfully wielded fluorescent flagging tape! More pics here.

I also wanted to share some fluorescent goods I covet! Perhaps, if I welcome these into my life, I can become a light emitting electron as well.

I’ve got to find a place for these in our collection! Flou Vases from the French company, La tête au cube!

These giant paper sculptures by Paula Arntzen were painted with Fluorescent ink. LOVE!!

If you are like me and want to make something yourself, check out this how to from Meg Allan Cole. So simple but so good!

Polka Dots Madness 12 by Yayoi Kusama.

By the same artist, this piece, Fireflies on the Water is currently on view at the Whitney. I am so looking forward to seeing this myself. From the science of the bioluminescence at the Creatures of Light exhibition last weekend to Kusama’s interpretation this weekend! All I need is to get some of those NIKES to wear to the show!

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I am looking for a video that I thought I first saw here & I am sure it was prior to 2010. Looking through your archives I don't see it. It was a time-lapse video of an artist painting on a wall - new images were painted over old images, again & again. It was incredible Does this sound familiar? I would love to find it again. Thanks.....